Railroad car thawing device utilizing disposable reflector sheets

ABSTRACT

A heating device for thawing railroad cars includes a heater and an elongated support for a disposable reflective member. The heater comprises a plurality of electric heating elements disposed in substantial coplanar relationship in an elongated heater panel. The support includes at least one planar plate which includes a supporting surface which is adjacent the panel of heating elements. The supporting plate includes means for removably securing thereto a reflective member comprised of at least one thin disposable sheet of material having a reflective surface. The sheet and supporting surface of the plate are elongated and substantially coextensive with the heating elements. The sheets act to reflect heat towards the railroad car and are readily removable when the reflective surface becomes soiled or tarnished for replacement by a fresh, clean sheet. In an embodiment designed for use beneath a railroad car the heater panel is horizontally disposed and is pivotally mounted relative to the supporting plate to provide access to the disposable sheets. In another embodiment, the supporting plate is removable from the heating device for replacement of the disposable reflective sheet.

United States Patent Thayer [54] RAILROAD CAR THAWING DEVICE UTILIZING DISPOSABLE REFLECTOR SHEETS [72] Inventor: Frank L. Thayer, Lafayette Hills, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Johnson-March Corporation, Philadelphia,

[22] Filed: Nov. 29, 1968 [21] Appl. No.: 784,528

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 552,121, May 23, 1966,

[151 3,654,430 1 Apr. 4, 1972 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Reynolds Wrap- New Recipes- How To Use It," Pamphlet by Reynolds Metals Co., Louisville, KY. 10 pages (page 6 relied on).

Primary Examiner-A. Bartis Attorney-Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein & Cohen [5 7] ABSTRACT A heating device for thawing railroad cars includes a heater and an elongated support for a disposable reflective member. The heater comprises a plurality of electric heating elements disposed in substantial coplanar relationship in an elongated heater panel. The support includes at least one planar plate which includes a supporting surface which is adjacent the panel of heating elements. The supporting plate includes means for removably securing thereto a reflective member comprised of atleast one thin disposable sheet of material having a reflective surface. The sheet and supporting surface of the plate are elongated and substantially coextensive with the heating elements. The sheets act to reflect heat towards the railroad car and are readily removable when the reflective surface becomes soiled or tarnished for replacement by a fresh, clean sheet. In an embodiment designed for use beneath a railroad car the heater panel is horizontally disposed and is pivotally mounted relative to the supporting plate to provide access to the disposable sheets. In another embodiment, the supporting plate is removable from the heating device for replacement of the disposable reflective sheet.

2 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 41912 SHEET 1 [IF 4 vcu N q-m N no 2,108 H ATTORNEYS.

INVENTOR. FRANK L. THAYER A TTORNEYS'.

PATENTEDAPR 4 I972 SHEET 3 [IF 4 PATENTEDAPR 4 I972 SHEET l 0F 4 ATTORNEYS.

RAILROAD CAR TIIAWING DEVICE UTILIZING DISPOSABLE REFLECTOR SHEETS This invention relates generally to heating devices and more particularly to a thawing device for a railroad car. This application is a continuation of my co-pending patent application Ser. No. 552,121 filed May 23, 1966, now abandoned.

Various devices such as infra-red or radiant heaters are used at present to thaw the railroad cars in industrial areas. These heating devices, however, have many disadvantages. These heating devices normally incorporate infra-red or radiant heating elements which are mounted adjacent a reflective surface. As the railroad cars are thawed, the resulting moisture which is released from the contents of the railroad car falls against the reflecting surface and thereby mars or corrodes the finish of the normally metallic reflector. Further, even when not in use, these surfaces are exposed to the elements and are subject to corrosion and general wear. Also, the reflecting surfaces are expensive as well as difficult to replace.

It is therefore an object of this invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thawing device having removable and disposable reflecting surfaces. I

' Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved thawing device having a heating panel which is pivotably secured to the base thereof for ease of replacing reflecting surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thawing device having a heating panel and a base, said base having a pair of reflecting surfaces separated by a longitudinally extending trough.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a thawing device including a heating panel and a base, said panel being pivotably secured to said base and said base including supporting means for removably receiving disposable reflecting sheets.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a thawing device comprising a heating panel and a base for supporting a reflective member, said base including at least one supporting surface adjacent and substantially parallel to said heating elements for supporting reflective members and means adjacent said surface for removably receiving said member, said member comprising a sheet having a reflective surface, said sheets being removable and disposable and adapted to reflect the heat from said heating elements.

Other objects and many of theattendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a thawing device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the thawing device;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the portion of the thawing device encircled by arrows 4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 66 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to the sectional view in FIG. 3 with the heating panel pivoted up from the base of the thawing device;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 8- 8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 9 9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an alternate thawing device embodying the invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line ll1l in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 10 with the parts partially disassembled.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, a thawing device embodying the present invention is generally shown at 20 in FIG. 1. The device 20 basically comprises a heating panel 22 and a base 24.

The heating panel 22 comprises a pair of longitudinally extending rails 26 and 28 which are of U-shaped cross-section and which are connected at their first end to opposite ends of a transversely extending rail 30 having a U-shaped cross-section. The rails 26 and 28 are secured at their other ends to a transversely extending heater block 32. The heater block 32 includes appropriate circuitry to energize U-shaped heating elements 34 which extend from the heater block 32 in a longitudinal direction along the panel. The heating elements are substantially coextensive with the length of the heating panel and are supported by a plurality of supporting webs 36 which extend transversely to and are spaced substantially equally along the rails 26 and 28. Webs 36 are secured to the rails 26 and 28 by U-shaped mounting brackets 38 which are suitably welded to the outer surfaces of rails 26 and 28. The webs are secured at each of their ends to the mounting brackets 38 by suitable fasteners 40.

As best seen in FIG. 3, webs 36 include vertically extending slots 42 which extend down from the top edge. The legs of the U-shaped heating elements are suitably secured at the base of slots 42. The heater block 32 includes a lid 44 which is removably secured to the heater block 32 and provides access to the electrical circuitry therein.

The heating panel 22 also includes a supporting rod 46. Rod 46 includes a pivotable end portion 48 which is pivotable around a vertical axis with respect to the U-shaped rail 26. The supporting rod 46 is connected via end portion 48 to a mounting bracket 50. Mounting bracket 50 is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6 and includes a pair of planar rectangular legs 49 which are horizontally disposed and are bridged by a vertically disposed rectangular bridging section 51 which is suitably secured to the inner surface of U-shaped rail 26 by welding. Each of the legs 49 of mounting bracket 50 includes an opening. The openings are vertically aligned with respect to each other and a pin 52 extends therethrough. Pin 52 also extends through an opening provided at a first end of end portion 48. The pin 52 includes openings at each end for cotter pins 53 which extend therethrough and secure the pin 52 as well as end portion 48 of rod 46 in the mounting bracket. End portion 48 is therefore pivotable in a horizontal plane about pin 52.

The end portion 48 is connected to the main portion of rod 46 by a mounting bracket 54. Mounting bracket 54 includes a hollow base 56 in which the end of the main portion of rod 46 is suitably secured. The bracket also includes a pair of planar rectangular legs 58 which extend from the base 56. The legs 58 each include an opening. The openings are horizontally aligned with respect to each other and a pin 60 extends therethrough. Pin 60 also extends through an opening provided therefor at the other end of end portion 48. Pin 60 includes an opening at each end through which cotter pins 62 extend. Pin 60 in combination with cotter pin 62 maintains end portion 48 within legs 58 of mounting bracket 54 and enables the supporting rod 46 to pivot in a vertical plane about the axis through pin 60 with respect to end portion 48. The supporting rod 46 includes at its other end a narrowed end portion 64. End portion 64 is of smaller diameter for purposes which will hereinafter be seen.

The heating panel 22 also includes fingers are provided along the inside surface of rails 26 and 28 and, as will be seen hereinafter, hold the reflecting sheet in place when the heating panel 22 is closed. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fingers are rectangular, planar and each includes a vertically disposed flange 68. Flanges 68 are secured to the inner surfaces of rails 26 and 28 preferably by welding. A first pair of the fingers 66 are provided along rail 26 and a second pair of the fingers are provided along rail 28 which are aligned with the first pair.

The base 24 of the device 20 basically includes a pair of longitudinally extending base rails 70 and 72, a longitudinally ex- 66. Fingers 66 tending trough 74 and a plurality of braces 76 and 78. Trough 74 is connected to the rail 70 via braces 76 and to rail 72 by braces 78. Braces 76 and 78 are spaced longitudinally along both sides of the trough 74 and provide base 24 with ample rigidity. Braces 76 and 78 are each transversely elongated, horizontally disposed and are preferably secured to rails 70 and 72 and trough 74 by welding. The braces 76 and 78 each include flanges 80 which extend transversely, are integral with, and depend vertically from the major portions of the braces. A pair of supporting plates 82 and 84 are secured to the top surfaces of the braces 76 and 78, respectively. The plates 82 and 84 are rectangular and slightly larger in width than the length of braces 76 and 78 and therefore overlap the rails 70 and 72 and trough 74.

Supporting plates 82 and 84, as will hereinafter be seen, support the disposable reflector sheets which are used to reflect the heat of heating elements 34. Rails 70 and 72 are of U-shaped cross-section having horizontally disposed webs and vertically disposed integral legs, the legs forming the support for the device. Trough 74 is also of U-shaped cross-section having a horizontally disposed planar web and a pair of upstanding vertically disposed integral legs. The trough 74 further includes a pair of horizontally disposed flanges 86 and 88 which extend laterally from the edges of the integral legs.

The base 24 also includes a plurality of rectangular fingers 90 which are horizontally disposed and vertically spaced from the supporting plates 82 and 84. The fingers include flanges 92 which are rectangular, planar and vertically disposed and are secured preferably by welding to the inner surface of trough 74 so that fingers 90 extend towards rails 70 and 72. The base 24 further includes a pair of releasable locking means 94 which are best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Each of the locking means 94 basically comprises a vertically extending threaded bolt 96 which is threadedly secured in an opening in rail 70 and which includes an enlarged head 98 for manual rotation thereof and a collar 100 to prevent removal of the bolt from rail 70.

Each of the releasable locking means 94 also includes a rectangular spacer 102 and a rectangular locking finger 104. The spacer 102 is secured to the top surface of rail 70 and includes an opening through which the bolt 96 extends. The rectangular finger 104 also includes an opening through which bolt 96 extends. The finger 104 is rotatable about the bolt 96 and, as best seen in FIG. 4, is adapted to releasably engage the bottom leg 106 of rail 26 to close the device 20. The enlarged head 98 may be rotated to secure the finger 104 against rotation to maintain the device 20 in a closed position.

The heating panel 22 is pivotably secured to the base 24 by means of a pair of hinges 108. As best seen in FIG. 1, the pair of hinges 108 are located adjacent opposite ends of rail 28 of the heating panel 22. Each of the hinges 108 is comprised of a pair of plates 110 which are vertically disposed and are welded to the lateral outside surface of rail 28, a journal 112 which is suitably secured by welding to the top surface of rail 72 and a pin 114 which extends through plates 1 l and journal 112. As best seen in FIG. 7, pin 114 includes a pair of openings adjacent both ends thereof through which cotter pins 1 16 extend and which maintain the pin 114 in place.

Thus, the heating panel 22 is pivotable with respect to base 24 so that the heating panel may be lifted out of the way in order to place disposable reflecting sheets 118 on base 24. The disposable sheets 118 are inserted, as best seen in FIG. 8, by inserting the inner edge 120 thereof underneath fingers 90 and the sheet is then laid flat upon the top surface of supporting plate 82 or 84. Thus, a pair of sheets 118 are placed on supporting plates 82 and 84 for reflecting the heat from heating elements 34. The longitudinal base rails 70 and 72 also include longitudinally extending rectangular bars 122 which are adjacent to the supporting plates 82 and 84 and are spaced along the rails 70 and 72. Bars 122 act to position the disposable sheets 118 when placed on supporting plate 82 or 84.

Therefore, to prepare the device for operation, the heating panel 22 is pivoted upwardly about the axis through pins 114 away from base 24. The supporting rod 46 is pivoted horizontally about the axis through pin 52 and rod 46 is then pivoted vertically downwardly about the axis through pin 60. The end 64 of rod 46 is then inserted in opening 124 which is provided on the top surface of rail of the base 24. The interface of the rod 46 and end portion 64 form a shoulder to prevent the insertion of the rod 46 in the opening. While the rod 46 supports the heating panel 22, as best shown in FIG. 7, previously used disposable sheets 118 which are in the heating device may be removed and a new sheet 118 replaced therein. When the sheets 118 have been suitably placed on the supporting plates 82 and 84, the rod 46 may be removed from opening 124 and returned to its normal position. The heating panel 22 is then lowered until it is resting on the base 24. The fingers 66, therefore, bear against the disposable sheets 118, as best seen in FIG. 4. The disposable sheet is thus maintained in place thereby. The fingers 104 of the releasable locking means are then pivoted to be placed over the lower leg 106 of rail 26 and the bolt 96 is tightened by the rotation of the enlarged head 98 in a predetermined direction. The device is thereby in a locked position and is ready to be placed between tracks for a railroad car. A railroad car is then positioned over the heating device and by applying electrical energy to the heating elements 34, the railroad car is thawed out.

It can, therefore, be seen that a fresh reflecting surface is provided beneath the heating elements for insuring adequate reflection of the heat to the railroad car. The pivoting of the heating panel also enables access to the reflecting surfaces for cleaning thereof. The trough acts as a suitable drain during the cleaning of the surfaces. Furthermore, any staining or corrosion of the surfaces of sheets 118 is easily remedied by replacing the stained sheet with a fresh sheet having a new reflecting surface. The replacement is inexpensive and is facilitated by the movable heating panel.

An alternate heating device 200 embodying the invention is shown generally in FIG. 10. The heating device 200 is adapted to be mounted vertically when in use. That is, the heatingelements extend vertically when the device is in operation. Device 200 is basically comprised of a pair of longitudinally extending U-shaped side rails 202 and 204, a transversely extending U-shaped rail 206 which is connected at its opposite ends to a first end of rails 202 and 204 and a transversely extending heater block 208 which is connected at its opposite ends to the other ends of rails 202 and 204.

The device 200 further includes a plurality of heating elements 210 which are U-shaped and extend from heater block 208 towards and adjacent to the transversely extending rail 206. The heating elements 210 are maintained in place by transversely extending rods 212 which are perpendicular to and extend between rails 202 and 204. The rods 212 are secured at their opposite end to rails 202 and 204 by means of axially extending fasteners 214 which extend through the webs of rails 202 and 204 and are secured to the ends of the rods 212. The legs of heating elements 210 are fastened to the supporting rods 212 by means of wires 216 which extend around the supports and pairs of legs of the heating elements, as best shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, each heating element 210 is secured to a supporting rod by a single wire 216.

The device 200 further includes a pivotably mounted rear plate 218 which is rectangular, planar and vertically disposed. The plate is pivotably secured to rail 202 by means of hinges 220. The rear plate 218 includes a pair of rectangular transversely extending L-shaped flanges 222 which extend along the top and bottom edges of the rear plate. The flanges 222 bear against the rear surface of the supporting plate 224 when the device 200 is closed to maintain the flatness of plate 224.

The rear plate 218 further includes a pair of longitudinally extending rectangular flanges 225 and 226. The flange 225 is secured to the hinge 220 and flange 226 includes an opening for a spring loaded latching finger 228. Finger 228 is normally urged out of the opening in flange 226. The finger 228 includes an inclined surface 230 which enables the sliding action of the finger against the rail 204 to urge the finger inwardly as the rear plate 218 is pivoted into the device 200.

Supporting plate 224 is generally rectangular and includes a pair of longitudinally extending flanges 232 and 234. Flanges 232 and 234 are separated from the rectangular portion of plate 224 by U-shaped portions 236 and 238, respectively. The U-shaped portions 236 and 238 are adapted to receive the edges of a disposable reflector sheet 240 which is preferably of thin metallic foil. The opening of each of the U-shaped portions 236 and 238 may be enlarged by exerting the flanges 232 and 234 away from the planar rectangular portion of the supporting plate 224.

The flanges 232 and 234 are planar and somewhat flexible and include cylindrical end portions 242 and 244, respectively. The rails 202 and 204 include a semi-cylindrical detent 246 and 248, respectively, which extend longitudinally along the inner surfaces of the webs of the rails. The cylindrical detents 246 and 248 are aligned horizontally with respect to each other and are adapted to removably receive the cylindrical end portions 242 and 244, respectively.

Thus, to insert a supporting plate 224 having a disposable reflecting sheet 240 inserted therein, the end portion 242 may be inserted in detent 246 and the supporting plate 224 is pivoted into the device 200. The flange 234 is urged inwardly towards flange 232 by the inner surface of rail 204. When the end portion 244 reaches detent 248, the flange 234 is snapped into place. The supporting plate 224 is thereby secured in the frame of the device so that the reflective surface of disposable sheet 240 is parallel to and adjacent the plane of heating elements 210. The supporting plate is thus positioned to enable reflection of the heat from elements 210.

To remove the supporting plate, the flange 234 is then pressed inwardly so that cylindrical end portion 244 is disengaged from detent 248 and the supporting plate 224 is then removed from the device as shown in FIG. 12. The disposable reflector sheet 240 may then be removed by bending the flanges 232 and 234 away from the rectangular portion of the supporting plate 224 so that the U-shaped portions 236 and 238 are opened and the disposable sheet is easily removable.

It can, therefore, be seen that the device 200 is of general application. The device 200 maintains the advantages of device 20 in that the reflecting surfaces may be readily changed by removing the old sheet and replacing it with a new sheet. The reflecting surfaces may therefore be maintained in a highly reflective condition. Access to the sheets for replacement is made very easy in that the heating elements are movable with respect to the rear panel which facilitates access to the reflecting surfaces. Moreover, the removal of the supporting plate facilitates washing and cleaning of the reflecting surfaces.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

lclaim:

l. A thawing device for a railroad car comprising a heater including a plurality of heating elements and an elongated support for a reflective member, said heating elements each being disposed substantially horizontally and provided in an elongated panel, said support including at least one planar plate which includes a supporting surface which is below and ad- 5 jacent said panel of said heating elements, means adjacent said supporting surface for removably securing a reflective member on said supporting surface, said reflective member comprised of at least one disposable sheet of material having a reflective surface, said sheet and said supporting surface being elongated and substantially coextensive with said heater elements, said sheets being removable and replaceable and acting to reflect the heat from said heating elements towards said railroad car, said heater panel being pivotably secured to said support so that said reflecting members may be easily replaced by pivoting said panel upwardly from said support, said heater panel being pivotably connected to a supporting rod, said supporting rod being pivotable about a vertical axis with respect to said heater, said rod having a pivotable end portion which pivots about a horizontal axis with respect to the remaining portion of said rod, said end portion of said rod being aligne with the remaining portion of said rod and pivoted adjacent said heater to store said rod when not in use, said rod being pivoted about said vertical axis away from said heater and about said horizontal axis with respect to said end portion to maintain said heater in a position spaced from said support during replacement of said sheets.

2. A thawing device for a railroad car comprising a heater including a plurality of heating elements and a support, said heating elements being disposed in an elongated panel, said support comprising a pair of planar plates each including a planar supporting surface, each of said supporting surfaces being substantially horizontally disposed, each of said supporting surfaces being spaced from the other of said supporting surfaces by a trough to facilitate removal of moisture, said trough extending longitudinally along the adjacent edges of the adjacent supporting surfaces and forming a channel between said surfaces, means adjacent said supporting surfaces for removably securing a reflective member to each of said surfaces, said reflective members each comprised of a sheet of disposable material having a reflective surface, said sheets being removable, replaceable and adapted to reflect the heat from said heating elements directly at said railroad car, said heater and said support being movable with respect to each other in order to enable replacement of said reflective sheets, said heater panel being pivotably connected to a supporting rod, said supporting rod being pivotable about a vertical axis with respect to said heater, said rod having a pivotable end portion which pivots about a horizontal axis with respect to the remaining portion of said rod, said end portion of said rod being aligned with the remaining portion of said rod and pivoted adjacent said heater to store said rod when not in use, said rod being pivoted about said vertical axis away from said heater and about said horizontal axis with respect to said end portion to maintain said heater in a position spaced from said support during replacement of said sheets. 

1. A thawing device for a railroad car comprising a heater including a plurality of heating elements and an elongated support for a reflective member, said heating elements each being disposed substantially horizontally and provided in an elongated panel, said support including at least one planar plate which includes a supporting surface which is below and adjacent said panel of said heating elements, means adjacent said supporting surface for removably securing a reflective member on said supporting surface, said reflective member comprised of at least one disposable sheet of material having a reflective surface, said sheet and said supporting surface being elongated and substantially coextensive with said heater elements, said sheets being removable and replaceable and acting to reflect the heat from said heating elements towards said railroad car, said heater panel being pivotably secured to said support so that said reflecting members may be easily replaced by pivoting said panel upwardly from said support, said heater panel being pivotably connected to a supporting rod, said supporting rod being pivotable about a vertical axis with respect to said heater, said rod having a pivotable end portion which pivots about a horizontal axis with respect to the remaining portion of said rod, said end portion of said rod being aligned with the remaining portion of said rod and pivoted adjacent said heater to store said rod when not in use, said rod being pivoted about said vertical axis away from said heater and about said horizontal axis with respect to said end portion to maintain said heater in a position spaced from said support during replacement of said sheets.
 2. A thawing device for a railroad car comprising a heater including a plurality of heating elements and a support, saiD heating elements being disposed in an elongated panel, said support comprising a pair of planar plates each including a planar supporting surface, each of said supporting surfaces being substantially horizontally disposed, each of said supporting surfaces being spaced from the other of said supporting surfaces by a trough to facilitate removal of moisture, said trough extending longitudinally along the adjacent edges of the adjacent supporting surfaces and forming a channel between said surfaces, means adjacent said supporting surfaces for removably securing a reflective member to each of said surfaces, said reflective members each comprised of a sheet of disposable material having a reflective surface, said sheets being removable, replaceable and adapted to reflect the heat from said heating elements directly at said railroad car, said heater and said support being movable with respect to each other in order to enable replacement of said reflective sheets, said heater panel being pivotably connected to a supporting rod, said supporting rod being pivotable about a vertical axis with respect to said heater, said rod having a pivotable end portion which pivots about a horizontal axis with respect to the remaining portion of said rod, said end portion of said rod being aligned with the remaining portion of said rod and pivoted adjacent said heater to store said rod when not in use, said rod being pivoted about said vertical axis away from said heater and about said horizontal axis with respect to said end portion to maintain said heater in a position spaced from said support during replacement of said sheets. 